System for shooting a weapon

ABSTRACT

A system for shooting a weapon that includes an activating module (10) able to be coupled to an actuating module (12) of a weapon, said activating module (10) actuates the actuating module (12) and shoots the weapon (1). The activating module (10) comprises a controller (18), an emitter (14) and a receiver (16) both optically coupled, where the controller detects an interruption of the beam of light received in the receiver (16) previously emitted by the emitter (14) and for generating, in response to said interruption, a trigger signal to actuate the actuating module (12) and shoot the weapon. Different embodiments are disclosed with and without triggers as well as variations in the configuration of the emitter-receiver pair.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally belongs to the field of actuators forweapons, and in particular it relates to an optical trigger for a weaponor similar device that is able to be actuated with a hand in order tocontrol the start of a shooting sequence of the weapon.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION OR STATE OF THE ART

In most conventional weapons (rifles, shotguns, pistols, revolvers,carbines, etc.) this is a performed manually pressing a key or partcalled the trigger. The trigger is part of an activating system andreleases a mechanism that starts the shooting operation. In the case offirearms, the activator is called the striker and it strikes a primer inorder to produce the ignition of the cartridge and thus perform a shot.

The trigger, which is generally moved with the index finger of the hand,has traditionally been a mechanical component. The actuation of thetrigger starts the shooting operation in which numerous mechanical partsput into motion participate (cantilevers, springs, connecting rods,teeth, etc.). It is observed that this type of essentially mechanicalactuation presents several drawbacks and certain problems.

The mechanical components need, for safety, to be manufactured veryprecisely, subject to strict tolerances that prevent errors during theoperation. The most common problems are irregularities in the pressingforce that must be applied in order to activate the trigger, excessnoise produced by the clicking of the mechanism that disengages thestriker or greater maintenance due to the wear and tear that themechanical elements suffer with time and use.

A separate issue is the precision of the shot, since most triggersinherently require a movement of the trigger from the starting point tothe shooting point. This affects precision and can cause the shooter toact before the shot and displace or move the firearm during the movementof the trigger.

Although alternative systems have also been proposed that are based onelectrical components (electromagnets, solenoids, piezoelectricelements) in which an electromechanical switch or another electricalelement is activated by the movement of the trigger and releases thestriker, there are still numerous mechanical components. Thus, theysuffer from problems similar to those of the purely mechanical systems.Thus, in light of the limitations observed in the state of the art, itwould be desirable to have an non-mechanical actuation system for thetrigger.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

As indicated, weapons with manual actuation, whether they use fire orcompressed air, generally have a trigger that has undergone slightvariations throughout time, maintaining the same operating principle.The present proposal presents a change to this operating principle thateven enables the mechanical trigger to be completely removed andsubstituted with an electronic technology for an optical barrier thatdoes not need contact.

Generally, the object of the present invention is a system for shootinga weapon that includes an activating module able to be coupled toanother actuating module of the weapon, where said activating moduleactuates the actuating module that shoots the weapon. The activatingmodule includes a circuit where there is an electronic controller, anoptical emitter of a beam of light and an optical receiver both coupledtogether. The controller enables an interruption of the beam of lightreceived in the receiver previously emitted by the emitter to bedetected. This interruption is interpreted as a trigger signal in orderto actuate the actuating module and shoot the weapon.

A weapon incorporating the previous system for shooting is also anobject of the invention.

The proposed system enables a trigger signal to be generated withoutneeding to overcome the resistance common in conventional triggers. Thetrigger signal actuates the striker of the weapon or actuator (dependingon the type of weapon) in an optical manner, through detection, andduring the exercise of pressing the trigger, breaking an optical barrierbetween the emitter-receiver pair. Whether it is caused by the finger ofthe holder of the weapon or by means of a simulated trigger.

Thanks to this solution, a direct and contact-free transmission of themovement from the finger of the shooter to the striker is establishedwithout needing intermediate mechanical elements. This fact reduces thefrequency of maintenance and the tolerance requirements in themanufacturing of parts.

Favorably, the trigger system by optical barrier also improves theprecision of the shot and reduces the phenomenon of acting prematurelybefore the shot and the kickback of the weapon. Logically, when theshooter acts before the shot and the kickback, they move in some mannerdisplacing the aiming elements. This is translated into an impactoutside of the target. Normally, the cause is the mechanical trigger,which, in order to actuate the striker exerts a certain pressure andcauses slight movements of the weapon.

Another advantage of this optical trigger system is preventing therunaway phenomenon which occurs in semi-automatic weapons, the triggersof which have been refined so as to shoot with minimal pressure. Insemi-automatic weapons, the same kickback can cause, when the finger ison the trigger, a very dangerous self-feeding effect. The weapon shootscontinuously until running out of ammunition. This can occur often ifthe trigger is too sensitive (requiring the exertion of littlepressure).

The present optical trigger system also resolves the previous problem,thanks to it being able to be limited electronically and that it can gowithout the contact of the finger with a mechanical element.

Particularly, in precision shooting, this contact-free solution is veryconvenient. The shot will be fired as long as the optical barrier is cutoff in the same point, without the shooter moving the weapon when theyhave to push a mechanical trigger to the shooting point thereof.

Although the preferred application of the invention is in real weapons,whether for recreational or military purposes, they can also befavorably implemented in simulated weapons (toys, video games,simulators).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the system for shooting aweapon with emitter and receiver facing each other.

FIG. 2 illustrates another exemplary embodiment of the system forshooting a weapon with emitter and receiver on the same side facing areflecting element.

FIG. 3 illustrates another additional exemplary embodiment of the systemfor shooting a weapon with a simulated trigger.

FIG. 4 illustrates another additional exemplary embodiment of the systemfor shooting a weapon where the beam emitted by the emitter is reflectedby the very finger of the user upon starting to shoot.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

For better understanding, with reference to the previous figures,several embodiments of the invention are described schematically thatshould not be considered as limiting the scope of the invention.

In FIG. 1 a first exemplary embodiment of the system for manuallyshooting a weapon 1 is illustrated. An activating module 10 actuates anactuating module 12 without needing a trigger or contact with the fingerof the holder of the weapon. The actuating module 12 is responsible forshooting the weapon 1 and to do so it preferably has a solenoid orelectromagnet 28 that substitutes other mechanical elements such assprings, cantilevers, pistons, etc. The activating module 10 includes acontroller 18, an emitter 14 and a receiver 16. The emitter-receiverpair is optically connected in a direct manner in this embodiment(without additional intermediate optical elements). The controller 18 isconnected to the emitter-receiver pair such that it can detect aninterruption of the beam of light received in the receiver 16 that wasemitted by the emitter 14. When this occurs the set of circuitsassociated to the controller 18 generates a trigger signal that actuatesthe actuating module 12 that is responsible for shooting the weapon 1.

In FIG. 2 another different embodiment of the activating module 10 inwhich the emitter-receiver pair is not in direct communication, but thatboth are in a same area, preferably in the handguard 22 (the area thatis in the front portion of the butt assembly with which the weapon isheld and the aiming is directed). Since they are not facing each other,it is necessary that an element reflects the beam to the receiver 16. Tothis end, incorporated inside the trigger guard 24 (the arch-shaped partintended to protect the triggers of weapons) there is a reflector 15, amirror or similar element that suitably directs the beam of light forthe detection thereof by the receiver 16 in the absence of movement ofthe finger for shooting so that said beam is interrupted when there issaid movement. This embodiment has the advantage that the electronicemitter 14 and receiver 16 components that can be more delicate andsensitive are able to be more safely and compactly moved away inside theweapon 1. As seen in FIG. 2, the emitter-receiver pair is implemented asa single emitter-receiver sensor device 17. For example, one that isretroreflective and photoelectric with polarized light, digital (PNPtransistor) although it could just as well work with other types(infrared or green light) with the advantage that the space in which theemitter 14 and receiver 16 are found is just a few centimeters.

In other embodiments like the one shown by FIG. 3 a movable simulatedtrigger 11 can be incorporated, the function of which is not tomechanically actuate on any mechanism, but optically, by interruptingthe beam during the movement of the finger to shoot. This simulatedtrigger 11 includes a portion, generally hidden inside the weapon 1,that interrupts the beam emitted by the emitter 14 that arrives at thereceiver 16 also housed inside the weapon.

This embodiment can be advantageous if the weapon is going to be used inenvironments exposed to dust and dirt. The simulated trigger 11furthermore can be especially desirable in certain applications. Forexample, in shooting sports, regulations tend to indicate that theweapons must have a trigger that provides a certain resistance so thatthere is a feeling in the exercise of pressing the trigger to shoot.This simulated trigger 11 can be advantageously designed in order toovercome a force of a certain number of newtons and with this complywith the applicable regulations for a given category of shooting sports.

In another practical embodiment of the invention, according to FIG. 4,the emitter-receiver sensor device 17 being in the handguard 22, thebeam of light is emitted by the sensor 14 and is the very finger 29 ofthe user, upon starting the shot, which cuts it off and it is reflectedtowards the receiver 16, it being in this moment when the opening of thecircuit is created and with it the shot.

In all the previous embodiments, in anticipation of this trigger systemproviding little confidence for the shooter, who can think thatactuating the weapon is too easy or unsafe, a safety button 26 can beadded that will be in an unmistakable position for preparing the shot asseen in FIG. 1, 2, 3 or 4. The safety button 26 is responsible forenabling the actuator 12. For example, enabling the electrical triggersignal generated by the controller 18 to arrive to the solenoid orelectromagnet 28 that will actuate the striker, causing the shot. Theemitter 14 can be chosen so that it generates the beam of light withcertain frequency or amplitude characteristics. Nevertheless, it isusually preferable that it be coherent light in order to preventdispersion. For this reason, laser emitters are usually chosen.

At times it is desirable for the type of emitter-receiver sensor 17 tobe able to function in dirty environments with dust or moisture present.In these cases, infrared sensors are the most efficient, to which it isadded that they are not visible like red light or green light sensors.

1. A system for shooting a weapon comprising: an activating module (10)able to be coupled to an actuating module (12) of a weapon, saidactivating module (10) configured to actuate the actuating module (12)and shoot the weapon (1): characterized in that the activating module(10) comprises a controller (18), an emitter (14) and a receiver (16)both coupled optically, where the controller (18) is configured todetect an interruption of the beam of light received in the receiver(16) previously emitted by the emitter (14) and for generating, inresponse to said interruption, a trigger signal to actuate the actuatingmodule (12) and shoot the weapon.
 2. The system for shooting accordingto claim 1, where the activating module (10) comprises a reflector (15)configured to change the direction of the beam of light emitted by theemitter (14) towards the receiver (16).
 3. The system for shootingaccording to claim 2, where the reflector (15) is situated in thetrigger guard (24) of the weapon (1) and the emitter (14) and thereceiver (16) are both situated in the handguard (22) of the weapon (1).4. The system for shooting according to claim 1, where the emitter (14)and the receiver (16) are situated facing each other, one in thehandguard (22) and another in the trigger guard (24) of the weapon (1).5. The system for shooting according to claim 1, where the activatingmodule (10) further comprises a simulated trigger (11), moveable from aresting position, in which it lets the beam of light pass, to a shootingposition, in which the beam of light is interrupted, it being emittedfrom the emitter (14) to the receiver (16) both facing each other andpositioned in the handguard (22).
 6. The system for shooting accordingto claim 1, where the emitter-receiver sensor device (17), arranged inthe handguard (22), the beam of light emitted by the sensor (14) uponbeing cut off by the finger of the user, in order to start the shot, isreflected to the receiver (16) generating the opening of the circuit andwith it the shot.
 7. The system for shooting according to claim 1,comprising a safety button (26) configured to inhibit the trigger signalof the controller.
 8. The system for shooting according to claim 1,where the light emitter (14) is configured to emit coherent light.
 9. Aweapon (1) comprising the system for shooting according to claim 1.